1. What stood out to you the most in the Saints’ season-opening victory over the Falcons?

Fletcher: The ability to pressure Matt Ryan with just the guys up front. Former Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams made the Saints defense respectable by dialing up a ton of exotic blitzes. Under Williams, we routinely saw safeties and corners blitzing. In 2012, with Steve Spagnuolo, the Saints failed to generate any type of pass rush. Ryan was able to get three sacks and get in Matt Ryan's face all day using just his guys up front. The way the Saints played against the Falcons reminded me a lot of the way the San Francisco 49ers play defense, which is a good thing.

Sharief: I don't think this is a shocking answer. Rob Ryan's defense ruled the day. Roman Harper silenced his critics for at least a game with the game-winning interception and a fumble recovery that have the Saints momentum in a 13-0 run. Pressure by the front seven saw the Falcons go 2-for-11 on 3rd downs. Chalk that win up because of the defense.

Richard: Gotta be the defense. But more specifically, the ability to limit big plays. Sure Stephen Jackson and Harry Douglas broke off 50-yard gains, but neither play finished in the end zone. And on one, New Orleans was able to hold Atlanta to a field goal near the goal line. It’s the NFL. Everyone gives up big plays sometimes. And that’s a huge improvement over last year’s defense that seemed to give up one big play score after another.

2. Will the Saints’ defense continue playing at that high of a level?

Fletcher: I think the Saints defense will be better than the unit that allowed 7.042 yards in 2012, but they'll still struggle at times this season. Remember, the Falcons did chalk up several big plays and were within one play of winning.

Sharief: It's tough for any defense to play out of its mind for 16 games. But coming off last season, they can only go up from there. I think they go rank in the top 15 by year's end. I believe Ryan will continue to improve with sending pressure as the season goes on.

Richard: Probably not. 17 points will be among the least Atlanta scores all season, so that was a heck of a Herculean effort. It’ll be impossible to continue stifling offenses to that degree, but they certainly showed the ability to play much better than ‘just getting by’ defense. And that’s enough. The defense showed it could even win a game in the final minute with that amazing goal line stand. Bottom line: They won’t have to be that good – just almost that good – for New Orleans to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender. And I think they can do it.

3. How important is it for New Orleans to beat the Bucs and start 2-0?

Fletcher: Important but not make or break. It's a long season. Beating Tampa gives the Saints an amazing lead in the NFC South but the Bucs have talent, and I've said all along I think this game is a problem spot for the Saints.

Sharief: Starting 2-0 is important for any team especially when those two victories are against the NFC South. Remember they started last season 1-4.

Richard: The Saints have a real opportunity to start 4-0 if they can win here. And they may need to with the gauntlet that sits ahead. Winning this game just about guarantees New Orleans will have a winning record in the division, and it puts a deceptively tough road game in the rear view. It’s no more important than any of the other 16, but it sure feels like it is.

4. What matchup are you looking forward to most?

Fletcher: The rebuilt Bucs secondary (Dashon Goldson and Darrelle Revis) vs. Drew Brees and the Saints WRs. Tampa Bay built a team to stop Drew Brees and Matt Ryan. Adding Goldson from the 49ers and Revis from the Jets was big, but is it enough to stop or slow down Brees on Sunday?

Sharief: I wanna see what the defensive line does against Josh Freeman. He's a different quarterback than Matt Ryan. Freeman can scramble around and make plays happen. Can the defensive line contain him and will the linebackers be able to blitz and sack him? Should be a good test for the defense.

Richard: Can the Saints contain Vincent Jackson? The 6 foot 5 inch receiver was a thorn in the Saints’ side last year, especially in the game contested in Tampa when he caught seven passes for 216 yards and a touchdown. I don’t know if it’ll be Jabari Green, Keenan Lewis, Patrick Robinson or a combination of all three on Jackson, but New Orleans will need to do something to stop him from making the highlight reel.

5. What is your score prediction and why?

Fletcher: Sorry Saints fans, but I have the Saints finishing 10-6 overall ,and this is one of the team's losses. The Buccaneers are bordering on being a dysfunctional mess. Is Josh Freeman really a team captain/leader? Is head coach Greg Schiano too much of a disciplinarian? But, the Bucs have talent, lots of talent and that talent plays well this Sunday against the Saints.

Sharief: Before the season started I said I'm not gonna pick the Saints every game like a fan and they would lose this game. But after watching the Bucs lose to a terrible Jets team, I think the Saints should win this game. Tampa Bay's offense looked terrible and if the Saints shut them out last season this could be just as bad. Plus Drew Brees has good games against the Bucs. Saints 31, Bucs 20.

Richard: Entering the season, I thought this was a serious trap game coming off of an emotional season opener versus the Falcons. The Bucs started 6-4 last year before the wheels absolutely came off the wagon, and that’s not an easy place to play, especially early in the season. But I hated what I saw out of Tampa’s offense last week, and the Saints picked up right where they left off when Sean Payton was at the helm. I see New Orleans winning, but when you least expect it, the Bucs can sneak up and get ya. Saints 31, Bucs 17.

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